Memorial Day Weekend 2015

May 22-25, 2015. (Friday - Monday)

The Umtanum recreation site is located in the scenic Yakima River Canyon, 12
miles south of Ellensburg, Washington, which cuts through massive basalt cliffs
and rolling desert hills. This canyon has been designated as a state scenic
route and offers excellent wildlife viewing, fishing in a Blue Ribbon trout
stream, family river rafting and camping.

A wooden suspension footbridge crosses the Yakima River at this site, providing the only
access to the west side of the river in the Yakima River Canyon. The west side
of the river consists mainly of BLM and Washington Department of Fish and
Wildlife managed lands.

Crossing over the suspension bridge requires pannier removal to get onto it (narrow
access).

This is probably the closest you'll get to an old time South American
suspension bridge, which pack llamas traversed for centuries.

One can hike along Umtanum creek to the picturesque Umtanum Falls if you're
persistent enough to navigate your way through the maze of brushy trails.

Wildlife frequently observed includes deer, swallows, bats, and raptors.
Bighorn sheep, beaver, muskrat and marmots are also present.
Precautions are advised regarding
ticks. Mosquitoes and other insects are generally not a problem (unless
perhaps you're allergic to bees, which are not at all aggressive).

Wildflowers are plentiful, such as yellow desert-parsley, bluebells, squaw
currant and bitterbrush.

One can instead hike up to Umtanum Ridge for a fantastic view of Yakima
Canyon and miles of open terrain.

Mr. T's very first (training) pack trip at age 3 was at this location.

In addition to llama activities, river rafting through the Yakima River
canyon is available (about 10 miles, class I rapids). Rafts launch within a short walking distance and a
bus returns people to the campground, under three hours duration.

For a two minute video of things you'll see along Umtanum Creek:

Directions:

From Seattle, drive east on Interstate 90 to exit 110. After exiting,
continue east on Interstate 82 about 3.5 miles to exit 3 (Thrall Road). At the
stop sign, turn right on State Route 821. Turn left at the next stop sign to
continue southeast along State Route 821 into Yakima Canyon (signed "Yakima
Canyon") and continue about 8 miles to the Umtanum Recreation Area (between
mileposts 16 and 17). A large gravel parking lot is on the right (west) side of
the road.